Key stats: Ward averaged 100 tackles over the past three seasons, while steadily increasing his impact in coverage. He finished the 2013 campaign with seven interceptions, most in the MAC and second in the NCAA, earning third-team All-American honors.

How he fits: As we've pointed out a number of times, 30-year-old James Ihedigbo is a short-term solution for the Lions. The team needs young talent at the safety position who can be ready to step in and start as soon as next season.

Ward's game is more like Detroit's other starter, Glover Quin, given his positional versatility. Despite being a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, Ward can come down in the box, he's comfortable in man coverage, and he also operates effectively in both Cover 1 and Cover 2 zones.

While he serves as an understudy to Ihedigbo and Quin, Ward could contribute immediately on special teams. Unlike many top upperclassmen talent, Ward continued to play on multiple special teams units as a senior.

It must be noted, there is an injury concern. Ward is dealing with a foot injury which kept him sidelined at the combine. He participated in Northern Illinois' pro day, but informed teams in attendance he needs to have a screw inserted in his foot later this offseason.

Quotable: "I don't miss very many tackles. I emphasize that. I don't like missing tackles. When you're missing tackles in the secondary, it could be a touchdown." -- Ward

"Might not have the ideal size and bulk that you would like in your safety, but gives you so much on the back end. Really respect his desire to want to be in the middle of the action. Can walk down in the box and handle his job there or can line up on the hash or the middle of the field to make that work too. Is not one of those safeties that you have to hide because they lack a certain skill or trait." -- former Dallas Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus